According to Doug Ward, with Vigor Alaska, one-third of Ketchikan’s workforce enrolled in the new program to take courses at the city’s shipyard.

Ward said that right now, they are hiring entry-level workers and are moving them up to middle-level production skills.

“If you want to, you can continue through project management and get into the corporate offices if that’s your aspiration,” he added.

Sierra Callis, a fitter and welder at Vigor, is currently enrolled in the program. She is taking classes to work on skills she says she is lacking. Callis added that it’s a great feeling to know that her company values her, not just as a worker, but as a person as well.

The program is open to everyone who is interested, whether right out of high school or who just want to change up their careers. To learn more, visit APICC’s website, or Maritimeworks.org.